Inherently Torque Limited Magnetically-Coupled Wheels

ABSTRACT

An apparatus having a driving magnetic gear and a driver magnetic gear, disposed on each of which are a series of adjacent magnets of alternating polarity. The magnetic gears are tiltable relative to each other, and the angle of the imaginary driver gear plane at the pivot point between the driving gear and the driver gear must be less than 90° to prevent loss of sequential magnetic interaction beyond which angle, reversal of rotation relative to the driver gear would occur when the sequential magnetic interaction is re-established.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/066,927 filed Apr. 28, 2011, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/343,395 filed Apr. 28, 2010, under Title 35, United States Code, Section 119(e), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to magnetically coupled wheels (sometimes referred to as magnetic gears) and rotating objects, and in particular to a magnetically driven set of wheels or rotating objects which are not to be physically engaged by the respective driving wheels or driving objects and can operate at a spaced distance from the respective driving wheels or driving objects, as well as operating other components operated by the driven wheels or driven rotating objects.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Many devices function by having at least one rotating member for engagement with another member. The problem with such physical contact is that there is often the problem of jamming of the parts, the problem of deleterious particles and matter getting between the parts, loss of lubrication and the wearing down by friction. These known devices include geared transmissions and gearboxes containing gears. Propulsion systems are well known for extending through a hull or other wall, which require complex and expensive seals and stuffing boxes. Such systems sometimes utilize noxious fluids including lubricants and gases. Other such systems are not useable in dusty and gritty environments where the atmosphere contains deleterious components. There are also situations where angles of rotation of a pair of shafts with respect to each other must change during rotation of the shafts, where a relatively simple arrangement without a complex gearing structure would be most advantageous.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for rotating one member by another member without requiring physical engagement of the two members.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus for rotating a pair of devices without any frictional loss between the devices or any interim devices connecting the pair of devices except in the shaft bearings and with insignificant hysteresis losses.

Another object is to provide for the relative rotation of a pair of devices without appreciable friction.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for transferring the speed and torque from one rotating member to another rotating member without the use of toothed gears or physically contacting parts.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for changing the direction of rotation of a set of rotating members without the use of toothed gears.

An additional object is to provide a gear train without the use of toothed gears.

It is yet another object to provide propulsion systems in marine or other applications where the driven and driving components are on opposite sides of a hull or other wall structure, where the driven and driving components interact without requiring an opening in the hull or other wall structure.

A yet additional object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for changing the orientation of rotating shafts during the rotation of the shafts.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for replacing a mechanical gear train.

It is still another object to effect the rotation of a driven object by another driving object without requiring the physical engagement of the objects and without necessarily requiring motion of the driving object.

It is also a further object of the present invention to provide for the rotation of a driven member by a driving member which does not require the use of noxious or deleterious fluids for lubrication.

Additionally it is an object to provide a system having a driven rotating wheel rotated by a driving wheel which limits the torque between driving and driven wheels.

A further object is the provision of a driving wheel for driving a driven wheel where performance is not affected by the presence of water, dust and grit in the environment where the driving and driven wheels are operating.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a propulsion system for craft which does not require physical engagement between the driving and driven components.

These and other objects may occur to those skilled in the art from the description to follow and from the appended claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention, which is incorporated in other embodiments of the invention, comprises a driving rotational object having magnet supporting surface which supports a series of adjacent magnets of opposite polarity, the driving rotational component being adjacent to at least one driven rotational object and having a magnet supporting edge including a set of adjacent magnets having opposite polarities. An external motor torque rotates the driving rotational object. The driving rotational object passes its magnets through a first location and the driven object passes its magnets through a second location spaced from the first location, but the first and second locations are within a common region where the magnetic fields of those of the respective magnets of the driving rotational object and the driven rotational object in the respective first and second locations are strong enough to have an appreciable physical effect on the other rotational object, wherein magnets of one polarity on the driving rotational object in the first location attract magnets of unlike polarity on the driven rotational object in the second location to effect the rotation of the driven rotational object. The term “appreciable physical effect on the other rotational object” means that the magnets on one object have enough effect on the magnets of the other object to effect the rotation of the other object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic, perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention in its elementary form, showing driving and driven wheels.

FIG. 2 is a modified version of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in perspective form.

FIG. 3 shows in perspective form a schematic view of gearbox according to a preferred embodiment of the invention for incorporating the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows in perspective a schematic view of another preferred embodiment of the invention showing non-contacting inner and outer magnetic wheels.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the inventions shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a schematic, exploded perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the invention involving a ball joint assembly.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6

FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic views of a gear train according to another preferred embodiment of the invention, with FIG. 8A being a perspective view and FIG. 8B being taken in the direction 8B-8B in FIG. 8A.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show another gear train according to still a further preferred embodiment of the invention, with FIG. 9A being a perspective view and FIG. 9B being taken in the direction 9B-9B in FIG. 9A.

FIG. 10 shows a preferred embodiment of the invention for use in a maritime environment for driving the propeller of a water vessel.

FIG. 11 is a detailed, schematic cross sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, and FIG. 11A shows a variation of this embodiment with a demountable pod.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of the invention in a further preferred embodiment for rotating a propeller blade assembly having blades extending internally from an outer housing.

FIG. 13 is a schematic, perspective view of one version of the embodiment shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of another version of the embodiment shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 15A is a schematic view of another preferred embodiment having a magnetic gear for driving a pair of magnetic propeller drive assemblies, and FIG. 15B shows a variation on the embodiment shown in FIG. 15A.

FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of an aircraft having a propeller drive assembly according to another preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 17 is a variation on a portion of the propeller drive assembly shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a variation on the embodiment shown in FIG. 16.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring first to FIG. 1, a magnetic gear train 10 is shown (as noted earlier, magnetic wheels are being referred to as magnetic gears). Magnetic gear train 10 comprises a first magnetic gear 12 and a cooperating magnetic gear 14. Magnetic gear 12 has along it periphery a series of magnets of alternating polarity, north (N) and south (S), which are collectively identified by the numeral 16, and can constitute a series of magnets embedded in the edge of a disk 18 of which magnetic gear 12 is comprised. Magnetic gear 12 has an axle 20 and a longitudinal pivot axis 22. Magnetic gear 14 has a series of alternating magnets identified collectively by the numeral 24 embedded in a disk 26 forming part of magnetic gear 14. An axle 28 rotates magnetic gear 24 about a longitudinal axis 30. Assuming magnetic gear 12 is the driving gear, some means such as a battery powered electric motor or other external motor torque is used to rotate magnetic gear 12 counter clockwise when viewed from above gear 12 and facing gear 12. As magnetic gear 12 rotates, the close proximity of disks 18 and 26 sequentially lines up unlike-magnetic poles to effect the smooth rotation of driven magnetic gear 14 in the clockwise direction when viewed from above and facing gear 14. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, longitudinal axes 22 and 30 are parallel, and as long as driving magnetic gear 12 rotates as a result of an external motor torque, driven magnetic gear 14 rotates as well.

A similar situation is shown in FIG. 2, except that the axes of the disks are not parallel. Referring to FIG. 2, a magnetic gear train 32 is shown, having a driving magnetic gear 34 and a driven magnetic gear 36 (either gear could be the driving magnetic gear and the other the driven magnetic gear). Driving magnetic gear 34 has a series of magnets shown collectively by the numeral 38 disposed on the periphery of a disk 40 forming part of magnetic gear 34. Likewise, driven magnetic gear 36 has a series of magnets 42 which are disposed on the edge of disk 44 constituting part of magnetic gear 36. Driving magnetic gear 34 has an axle 46 which is rotatable in the counter clockwise direction when viewed from above and facing gear 34, about a longitudinal axis 48. Driven magnetic gear 36 has an axle 50 rotatable in the clockwise direction when viewed as noted immediately above, about a longitudinal axis 52. Axle 50 and longitudinal axis 52 are angled by an internal acute angle Φ. Driving gear 34 and driven gear 36 are pivotal about a common tangential pivot axis 54.

A gearbox 56 for accommodating magnetic gear train 10 or 32 is shown in FIG. 3. The following description refers to gear train 32. Gearbox 56 has a first fixture 58 for housing driving magnetic gear 34, and a second fixture 60 for mounting driven magnetic gear 36 which may be of a different diameter. First fixture 58 has a pair of flanges 62 and 64 having aligned bores 66 and 68. Bores 66 and 68 receive axle 46 to maintain disk 40 in a same relative position to disk 44 as shown in FIG. 2. Second fixture 60 has a pair of opposing flanges 70 and 72 having aligned bores 74 and 76. Bores 74 and 76 receive axle 50, which may be inclined relative to axle 46 as shown in FIG. 2. Second fixture 60 further has a pair of opposing arms 78 and 80, having respective yokes 82 and 84 with aligned pairs of bores 86 and 88 for receiving between them respective arms 90 and 92 of first fixture 58. Arms 90 and 92 have aligned bores 94 and 96. Bores 94 and 96 are aligned with pairs of bores 86 and 88 when arms 90 and 92 are received in respective yokes 82 and 84. Pivot pins 98 and 100 establish a pivot corresponding to pivot axis 54 in FIG. 2.

The foregoing arrangement enables driving magnetic gear 34 to rotate under the influence of an external motor torque, to cause the rotation of magnetic gear 36 at the desired angle Φ. The foregoing is accomplished without the use of toothed gears and the shortcomings thereof. The size of respective fixtures 58 and 60 and their component parts can be altered to render gearbox 56 a reducing gearbox if driving gear 34 is larger than driven gear 36.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show another embodiment of the invention. A magnetic gear train 110 is shown having an outer cylindrical magnetic gear 112 which is hollow but has a closed end 114, and further has a set of magnets shown collectively as numeral 116 embedded therein, adjacent ones having alternate polarities. Magnetic gear 112 further has an axle 118. Further included in gear train 110 is an internal cylindrical magnetic gear 120 having a series of alternating magnets embedded in its periphery as indicated collectively by the numeral 122 which is mounted on disk 124. A shaft 126 extends from disk 124. There is a small space separating magnets 116 of magnetic gear 112, and magnets 122 of magnetic gear 120. Either of magnetic gears 112 and 120 can be the driving magnetic gear, and the other (the driven magnetic gear) rotates in response to the rotation of the driving gear because of the sequential attraction of opposite poled magnets. Assuming magnetic gear 122 is the driving gear, it is shown rotating clockwise when viewed from the front facing gear 122, and magnetic gear 112 rotates in the same direction as the driven magnetic gear. For co-axial input and output shafts, an arrangement similar to a planetary type gearbox may be used. For the limiting size of magnetic gear 120 while it occupies nearly the entire inside of magnetic gear 112, the combination becomes an infinitely resettable torque limiting clutch.

A ball joint assembly 130 is shown schematically in FIGS. 6 and 7. Referring first to FIG. 6, ball joint assembly 130 includes a portion of a sphere 132 made of non-magnetic material that includes a missing portion of a segment or slot 134 on one face of sphere 132 and another portion of a missing segment or slot 136 for, as explained below, portions of magnetic gears 138 and 140. FIG. 6 includes a ball joint cap assembly 142 having cooperating parts 144 and 146, the latter being spherical sectors partially wrapping or enclosing sphere 132. Part 144 of cap assembly 142 collectively holds sphere 132 concentric with a small amount of clearance, and raised portions 146 limits the range of motion of sphere 132 within the acceptable limits of magnetic interaction between magnetic gears 138 and 140. Part 144 includes a rounded shell portion 148 having a curved opening 150 for receiving magnetic gear 138. Magnetic gear 138 includes embedded in its periphery a set of magnets shown collectively by the numeral 152 having alternate polarities and embedded in a disk 154. Magnetic gear 138 has an axle 156. Magnetic gear 138 extends through opening 150 and into portion 134 of sphere 132.

Magnetic gear 140 has a set of alternating magnets shown collectively by the numeral 158 embedded around the periphery of a disk 160 from which magnetic gear 140 is formed. Magnetic gear 140 extends into slot 136 of the spherical portion of sphere 132. Magnetic gear 140 has an axle 162.

Raised portions 146 of cap 142 differ from the other part of cap 142. Portions 146 as partial spherical sectors which define an opening to give magnetic gear 140 access to slot 136 of sphere 132. A pair of flanges 166 and 168 extends from sphere 132 on opposite sides of slot 136 of the segment into which magnetic gear 140 extends, for receiving axle 162.

The operation of ball joint assembly involves the rotation of one of magnetic gears 138 or 140 by an electric motor or other motive power source (gear 138 is shown rotating counter clockwise when viewed from above facing gear 138), which causes the other magnetic gear 138 or 140 to rotate in the opposite direction as dissimilar poles of magnets 152 and 158 are opposite each other in polarity and interact magnetically attractively. Those magnetically interacting magnets proximate to the location where respective individual magnets of sets of magnets 152 and 158 are closest to each other, marked by the point or dot labelled “CENTER” in FIG. 7. The point marked “CENTER” is the pitch point defined by the tangency of the inherent pitch circles of magnetic gears 138 and 140. Ball joint assembly 130 is advantageous in that axles 156 and 162 can be tilted relative to each other as sphere 132 tilts on pitch point “CENTER,” but axles 156 and 162 cannot be perpendicular to each other since the sequential magnetic linkage between individual magnets would be lost, and hence, rotation would not be possible, and this is accomplished by the abutment of the end of one of raised portions 146 and the surface of rounded shell portion 148. Thus, tops of axles 156 and 162 can be tilted towards or away from each other, and they can also rotate to some extent about axes perpendicular to the respective axles 156 and 162. In other words, inherently torque limiting magnetically coupled wheels or gears 138 and 140 may be used in a manner similar to gears in mesh such that a rotation of one of the magnetic wheels or gears 138 or 140 produces a corresponding rotation of the other wheel or gears 138 and 140 without any physical contact between them. This permits complete continuous shaft rotation when axles 156 and 162 are parallel, and they can be shifted angularly and continue to rotate unlike classical gears with solid teeth. Gears 138 and 140 can thus be tiled with their longitudinal axes AXIS 1 AND AXIS 2 remaining in the same plane, gears 138 and 140 can rotate respectfully about AXIS 1 and AXIS 2, and gears 138 and 140 with their longitudinal AXIS 1 and AXIS 2 pivoting about the point or dot on the line marked CENTER in any direction so as long as the sequential magnetic linkage remains between the magnets of respective gears 137 and 140 at the dot. This is all inherent in the structure shown, although reversal of the magnetic linkage would in inherently occur upon gears 138 and 140 assuming certain relationships with respect to their relative positions.

The inherent reversal of rotation can be understood with reference to FIG. 1. The foregoing release of restraint of gears 12 and 14 from the reversal of magnetic linkage for keeping magnetic gears 12 and 14 rotating in the same direction, as is the case for gears 138 and 140 in FIGS. 6 and 7, is explained as follows. Referring to FIG. 1, magnetic gear 14 is tiltable about an axis at the pivot point (where gears 12 and 14 are closest to each other) between the centers of gears 12 and 14, the latter axis being parallel to longitudinal axes 22 and 30 when gears 12 and 14 are coplanar. When the tilting of gear 14 relative to gear 12 reaches a sufficient amount, the rotation of magnetic gear 14 necessarily ceases and with further tilting of gear 14 the rotation thereof commences in the opposite direction. The exact relative angles of tilting to cause cessation of rotation of a driven gear and the reversal of rotation depends on two main factors: the magnetic strengths of the respective driving and driven magnetic gears and the thickness of the respective magnetic gears. The value of the tilting angle to cause the cessation and then reversal of rotation of the driven magnetic gear increases as the strength of the respective magnets 16 and 24 of driving and driven gears 12 and 14 increases, and likewise increases as the respective gears get thinner. With the type of magnetic gears envisioned for most applications of the present invention, the maximum tilting angle is expected to be in the range of 20°-30° where the axles are coplanar. The sequential magnetic linkage between magnetic gears 12 and 14 become weaker going towards zero as the tipping angle approaches 90° when the axles are non-coplanar. The magnetic field between driving gear 12 and driven gear 14 would be at its maximum value when gears 12 and 14 are parallel as shown in FIG. 1, or when they are opposed to each other and are pancaked, one over the other, but spaced apart orientation. Thus, the relative tilting of magnetic gear 14 relative to magnetic gear 12 by the amount as discussed above results in the cessation of rotation of magnetic gear 14 and subsequent reversal as gear 14 gradually proceeds to rotate about AXIS 2 of axis 14 when sequential magnetic linkage is re-established with magnetic gear 12.

Similarly, in FIG. 2 where axles 46 and 50 are angled relatively towards each other by angle Φ and such release of restraint is implemented where magnetic gear 36 is allowed to tilt laterally (as shown) about the axis located at the line between the centers of gears 34 and 36 at the point of nearest approach (or pivot point through which common tangential pivot axis passes) so long as magnetic gears 34 and 36 do not physically interfere with each other.

Referring next to FIGS. 8A and 8B, a gearbox 170 in schematic form is shown. Gearbox 170 includes a first magnetic gear 172 and a second magnetic gear 174. Magnetic gear 172 includes a shaft receiving portion 176 having a bore 178 for holding a shaft for rotating magnetic gear 172 or being rotated with magnetic gear 174 (depending on whether the latter is the driving or the driven gear). The outer edge of magnetic gear 172 has a circumferential depression 180 with magnets of alternating polarity (N, S, N, S, N, S . . . ) as indicated by respective numerals 184 and 186, embedded therein.

Magnetic gear 174 has a shaft receiving portion 188 with a bore 190 for receiving a shaft which is rotatable within (or rotatable with) magnetic gear 174. Magnetic gear 174 includes an approximately toroidal ring 192 of magnetic material with short, adjacent segments 194 of said ring 192 having alternate magnetic polarities. Adjacent magnetic segments 194 with opposing polarities are adjacent to but not contacting circumferential depression 180 at the location where a part of toroidal ring 192 is within depression 180 at a hinge 200 whose axis is tangent to both magnetic gears 172 and 174, and about which magnetic gear 174 is pivotable; magnetic gear 174 can rotate clockwise as shown by the arrow 203 about its longitudinal axis 204 (when viewed from above) in response to the rotation of magnetic gear 172 rotating counter clockwise as shown by the arrow 201 about its longitudinal axis 202 (when viewed from above), with magnetic gear 174 being inclined from magnetic gear 172 by a variable angle α. Magnetic gear 174 has a shaft that can rotate clockwise about longitudinal axis 204, and as noted angle α can vary while the respective rotations are taking place.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show a gear train 210. Gear train 210 includes a driving (or driven) magnetic gear 212 and a driven (or driving) magnetic gear 214. Driving magnetic gear 212 rotates under the influence of an external motor torque and drives rotating gear 214 in the clockwise direction shown by an arrow 213 when viewed from above facing magnetic gear 212 about a longitudinal axis 218. Driving magnetic gear 212 includes a shaft receiving portion 215 having a bore 216, and a non-circular toroidal ring 217 at the edge of driving magnetic gear 212. Gear 214 rotates in the opposite direction from gear 212. Ring 217 has embedded therein a series of magnets identified respectively and collectively by numeral 220, which respective adjacent magnets are of opposite polarity. A hinge whose axis 224 is tangent to both magnetic gears 212 and 214 in a gearbox housing is shown. Driven magnetic gear 214 includes a toroidal ring 230 having a depression 232 with a cylindrical part 231. Toroidal ring 230 has on the portion surrounding depression 232 a set of embedded magnets shown collectively as numeral 234, adjacent magnets being of opposite polarity and being spaced from magnets 220 on ring 217. A shaft receiving portion 228 has a longitudinal axis 240 about which a shaft extending through a bore 229 is rotatable counter clockwise as shown by an arrow 233 when viewed from the left. Axis 240 of driven magnetic gear 214 is rotatable through variable angle θ which may slightly exceed 90° below the plane of magnetic gear 214 and as much as 45° above said plane for enabling the rotation of the shaft extending through bore 229 while said 240 is being rotated with respect to magnetic gear 212.

The incorporation of a reduction gear train in a water vessel or watercraft is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. These illustrations show a vessel V having an engine E. Vessel V has a hull H. Vessel V includes a gear and shaft cavity C for holding a magnetic gear and propeller shaft as discussed below. Extending from engine E is a drive shaft 250 on which is mounted a magnetic gear 252. Magnetic gear 252 has on its surface a series of magnets embedded therein identified collectively by the numeral 254, adjacent magnets having opposite polarity. Magnetic gear 252 is rotatable as shown in the counter clockwise direction when viewed from the right facing gear 252, with the rotation of drive shaft 250. A propeller 256 is mounted on a driven shaft 258, and mounted on driven shaft 258 is a magnetic gear 260 having on its surface embedded therein a series of magnets identified collectively by the numeral 262. Adjacent magnets 262 have opposite polarity. Shaft 258 is supported for rotation (in the opposite direction from shaft 250) by bearings 264 and 266. These bearings 264 and 266 may alternatively be a magnetic type. Magnetic gears 252 and 260 are adjacent but spaced from each other and separated by a preferably non-conductive and non-magnetic hull portion 268. The rotation of magnetic gear 252 mounted on drive shaft 250 effects the rotation of magnetic gear 260 even though they are separated by the hull portion 268. This arrangement has very significant advantages. First, since no water or other deleterious material will be able to either contact magnetic gear 252, drive shaft 250 or engine E; this arrangement would have a long life and significant economic advantages over present systems since no hole need be provided in the hull for receiving a drive shaft, and likewise there need not be required a stuffing box or some other equipment for preventing sea or other ambient water from passing through the hull. Furthermore, this arrangement would be much simpler to install, since no work need be done with the vessel V at all in order to accommodate the foregoing magnetic gear arrangement. All of the problems associated with leakage into the vessel would be avoided. In fact, the external portion of the propulsion system could be composed of easily demountable modules clamped or otherwise fastened to the exterior of hull portion 268. As a variation as shown in FIG. 11A, shaft 258, magnets 262 and propeller 256 could be part of a demountable pod 269 for enabling easy replacement of the entire pod 269 inclusive of shaft 258, magnets 262 and propeller 256.

Another maritime uses of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 12, 13 and 14. FIG. 12 shows a boat B having a propeller drive assembly 270. Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, propeller drive assembly 270 has an outer housing 272 from which extend radially inwardly, a set of propeller vanes 274. Outer housing 272 is a magnetic gear and has embedded across its outer surface a set of magnets embedded therein, identified collectively by the numeral 276 of which adjacent magnets are of opposite polarity. Turning specifically to FIG. 13, boat B has an engine shaft 278 which is shown by an arrow 279 as being rotatable in the clockwise direction when viewed from a magnetic gear 280 mounted on shaft 278. Magnetic gear 280 can have a cylindrical or conical outer periphery in which are embedded a series of magnets identified collectively by numeral 282, and adjacent magnets 282 are of opposite polarity. A preferably non-conductive and non-magnetic hull 286 separate magnetic gear 280 from the power drive assembly 270. Magnetic gear 280 is a driven drum. Engine shaft 278 rotates magnetic gear 280, which in turn rotates propeller drum assembly 270 counter clockwise when viewed from the left as shown by arrow 287 by virtue of the sequential of alignment of magnets of like polarity on outer housing 272 and magnetic gear 280. Water flows in the direction shown by arrows 288. Bearings are provided to prevent axial or radical motion with respect to the hull and may be achieved by hydrodynamic, magnetic or mechanical means.

Magnets 282 of magnetic gear 280 sequentially enter a first location on one side of hull 286 which is spaced from and adjacent to a second location on the other side of hull 286, the first and second locations being in the magnetic fields of magnets 282 and 276 and such adjacent magnetics whose magnets flux physically effects the other magnetic gear, in the respective locations. Magnets 282 in the first location having the opposite polarity as a magnet 276 in the second location cumulatively effect the rotation of propeller drive housing 270 as the magnets move through the respective first and second location. That is, the latter magnets have appreciable physical effect on the other magnetic gear.

In an alternate arrangement shown in FIG. 14, the same propeller drive assembly 270 is used in the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, but a curved linear induction motor 290 establishes a series of alternating polarities travelling about the center of rotation of drive assembly 270 indicated by the numeral 292 which sequentially line up through preferably non-conductive and non-magnetic hull 286 with magnets 276 of unlike polarity, to effect the rotation of outer housing 272. The same advantages would apply in this embodiment as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, since there is no need to pierce the hull or boat B.

A propeller drive assembly 270 driven from inside hull portion 286 could also possibly have hydrodynamic or magnetic support bearings in order to further eliminate frictional energy losses. Although a propulsion system for a waterborne vessel or watercraft has been described here, this system may be advantageously applied to propel aircraft or other craft through other fluids. If it could be made sufficiently light and stiff.

FIGS. 15A and 15B show arrangements similar to that of FIG. 13. A magnetic gear 291 rotated by an electric motor or the like is on one side of preferably non-conductive and non-magnetic hull 286, and a pair of propeller drive assemblies 295 and 296, which are all constructed as is propeller drive assembly 270, and reference is made to the description of assembly 270 and to magnetic gear 280 for explanation of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B. Magnetic gear 291 is shown rotating in the counter clockwise direction indicated by an arrow 297, which effects the rotation of drive assemblies 295 and 296 in the clockwise direction shown by arrows 298 and 299. FIG. 15B shows a variation where a magnetic gear 294 effects the rotation of propeller drive assembly 296 which in turn rotates drive assembly 295 in the opposite direction. Magnetic gear 294 is shown rotating clockwise by arrow 401 causing propeller drive assembly 296 to rotate counter clockwise as shown by arrow 403, which causes propeller drive assembly 295 to rotate clockwise. The magnetic segments are not shown for each of magnetic gear 291 and propeller drive assemblies 295 and 296, but they are included in each of these components.

The inventive concept has numerous other applications. It can for example be used in aircraft. Referring to FIG. 16, an aircraft 300 is shown. Aircraft 300 has a propeller support housing 302 having on one portion a set of alternating polarity magnetic segments 304. Support housing 302 is mounted for rotation about a set of appropriate radial and thrust bearings 306. Extending from the aft part of support housing 302 is a set of external propeller blades 308 and internal propeller blades 310. Aircraft 300 has either an electrical induction drive or other electrical structure for sequentially lining up like magnetic poles with like magnetic poles of magnetic segments 304 to cause support housing 302 to rotate. An arrow 312 shows that support housing 302 is rotating in the counter clockwise direction, and a set of arrows 314 shows the air-flow moving tailward. Support housing 302 could be replaced by an appropriate support auger air screw 216 shown in FIG. 17 having appropriate external blades 318 mounted spirally on a body 320 of air screw 316.

A plurality of alternating magnetic propulsion systems for aircraft is also possible. A delta flying wing aircraft 322 is shown in FIG. 18. A pair of propeller support housing 324 and 326 like propeller support housing 302 is provided at the tail end of aircraft 322. Support housing 324 and 326 respectively have alternating magnetic polarity segments 328 and 330 which are electrically driven in a rotational movement by an appropriate electrical driving system in aircraft 318. This is shown as effecting the clockwise rotation of support housing 324 shown by arrow 332 and the counter clockwise rotation of support housing 326 indicated by arrow 334. Airflow is shown by sets of arrows 336 and 338, and could beneficially be used to ingest/remove turbulent air from above the wing and increasing its lifting capability.

The transport aspects of the present invention are clean, and if electrically driven, do not us petroleum or other solid or liquid fuel and do no harm the environment. There is expected to be low frictional wear and tear on the system as compared to those systems presently in use.

Many of the magnetic components described herein are permanent magnets. In some instances, electro-magnets will be used as well.

The invention has been described in detail, with particular to reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, but variations and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention may appear to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A magnetic gear train comprising: a driving gear having an inherent pitch circle, said driving gear lying in an imaginary driving gear plane, and having a driving gear longitudinal axis, a driving gear periphery and a set of magnets embedded in said driving gear periphery, said set of magnets having alternate polarities; a driving gear axle attached to said driving gear and extending along said driving gear longitudinal axis; a driven gear having an inherent pitch circle, said driven gear lying in an imaginary driven gear plane, and having a driven gear longitudinal axis, said driven gear longitudinal axis having a first angular relationship with said driving gear longitudinal axis, a driven gear periphery and a set of magnets embedded in said periphery, said set of magnets having alternate polarities; a driven gear axle attached to said driven gear and extending along said driven gear longitudinal axis; said driving gear and said driven gear being located with the pitch circles of said driving gear being tangent at an inherent pivot point of said driving gear and said driven gear for enabling the rotation of said driven gear and said driven gear axle in one direction due to the sequential magnetic interaction of said magnets embedded in said driving gear periphery and the magnets embedded in the driven gear periphery in response to a driving force being applied to said driving axle for rotating said driving gear in the opposite direction of rotation; and said driven gear and said driven gear axle being tiltable with respect to said driving gear and said driving gear axle at said pivot point with said driven gear assuming a tilting angle with respect to said driving gear, wherein said driving gear and said driven gear do not overlap each other when said driven gear is at said tilting angle with respect to said driving gear, wherein said driven gear longitudinal axis has a different angular relationship with the said driving gear longitudinal axis than said first angular relationship when said driven gear is at said tilting angle with respect to said driving gear, wherein in at least one of said angular relationships, any imaginary plane containing said longitudinal axis of said driven gear and containing said pivot point must be oblique with respect to any imaginary plane containing said longitudinal axis of said driving gear, and wherein the angle of said imaginary driving gear plane with respect to said imaginary driven gear plane at said pivot point must be less than 90° to prevent loss of sequential magnetic interaction beyond which angle, reversal of rotation relative to the driven gear would occur when the sequential magnetic interaction is re-established.
 2. A magnetic gear train comprising: a driving gear lying in an imaginary driving gear plane, and having an inherent pitch circle, a driving gear longitudinal axis, a driving gear periphery and a set of magnets embedded in said driving gear periphery, said set of magnets having magnet poles of alternate polarities; a driving gear axle attached to said driving gear and extending along said driving gear longitudinal axis; a driven gear lying in an imaginary driven gear plane, and having an inherent pitch circle, a driven gear longitudinal axis, a driven gear periphery and a set of magnets embedded in said periphery, said set of magnets having magnetic poles of alternate polarities; a driven gear axle attached to said driven gear and extending along said driven gear longitudinal axis; said driving gear and said driven gear being located wherein said driving gear pitch circle and said driven gear pitch circle being tangent are at a pivot point, and said respective driving gear and driven gear can have a magnetic linkage with each other at said pivot point; and said driven gear and said driven gear axle being rotatable in response to the rotation of said driving gear and said driving gear axle in one of a first range of rotation and in a second range of rotation of said driving gear and said driving gear axle; wherein in said first range of rotation, said longitudinal axes of said driven gear and said driving gear are either transverse to each other and said driving gear and said driven gear are not coplanar wherein said imaginary driving gear plane and said imaginary driven gear plane are tangent at said pivot point, and said longitudinal axes are tilted at said pivot point towards each other or away from each other, said first range of rotation being limited to two opposing end positions; in one end position, said longitudinal axis of said driven gear is close to but not perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said driving gear on one side of said driving gear to maintain the sequential magnetic linkage between the respective individual magnet poles on each of the said driving and driven gears, and in the opposite end position, said longitudinal axis of said driven gear is close to but not perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said driving gear on the opposition side of said driving gear from said one end position to maintain the sequential magnetic linkage of the respective individual magnets on said driving and driven gears; and wherein in said second range of rotation, said longitudinal axes of said driven gear and said driving gear are parallel to each other and said driving gear and said driven gear are coplanar, said first range of rotation being limited to two opposing end positions, in one end position said longitudinal axis of said driven gear is almost but not perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said driving gear on one side of said driving gear so as not to lose the sequential magnetic linkage between the respective individual magnet poles on each of the said driving and driven gears, and in the opposite end position said longitudinal axis of said driven gear is almost but not perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said driving gear on the opposite side of said driving gear from said one end position so as not to lose the sequential magnetic linkage of the respective individual magnets on said driving and driven gears, said second range of rotation being limited to two end positions wherein, in one end position said longitudinal axis of said driven gear is parallel to said longitudinal axis of said driving gear and pointing in one direction, and in the opposite end position the longitudinal axis of said driven gear is parallel to said longitudinal axis of said driven gear and is parallel to said longitudinal axis of said driving gear and pointing in the direction opposite to said one direction; and said driven gear and said driven gear axle being pivotable relative to said driving gear and said driving gear axle on said pivot point on an axis of pivotal movement between the longitudinal axes of said driving gear and said driving gear axle and said driven gear and said driven gear axle in a range of pivotal movement wherein said longitudinal axes of said driven gear and of said driving gear are not in a common plane; and wherein said driven gear and said driving gear have a limit of pivotal movement beyond which limits the sequential magnetic linkage between the individual magnetic poles on each of said driving gear and said driven gear, said pivotal movement continues resulting in the reversal of the sequential magnetic linkage between said driving gear and said driven gear relative to said driven gear.
 3. A magnetic gear train according to claim 16 wherein said driven gear is rotatable in other ranges of rotation in addition to said first range of rotation, said range of pivotal movement and said second range of rotation, relative to said driving gear.
 4. A magnetic gear train according to claim 16 wherein said driven gear is simultaneously rotatable with said driving gear in the first and second ranges of rotation and in said range of pivotal movement.
 5. A magnetic gear train for rotating in one direction and rotating in a reverse direction, said magnetic gear train comprising: a driving gear lying in an imaginary driving gear plane, and having an inherent pitch circle, a driving gear longitudinal axis, a driving gear periphery and a set of magnets embedded in said driving gear periphery, said set of magnets having alternate polarities; a driving axle attached to said driving gear and extending along said driving gear longitudinal axis; a driven gear lying in an imaginary driven gear plane, and having an inherent pitch circle, a driven gear longitudinal axis, a driven gear periphery and a set of magnets embedded in said periphery, said set of magnets having alternate polarities, the pitch circles of said driven gear and said driving gear being tangent at a pivot point, said driven gear be tiltable relative to said driving gear about said pivot point; a driven gear axle attached to said driven gear and extending along said driven gear longitudinal axis; said driving gear and said driven gear being positioned with a part of said driving gear periphery and a part of said driven gear periphery being located at said pivot point for enabling the rotation of said driven gear and said driven gear axis in one direction due to the sequential magnetic interaction of said magnets embedded in said driving gear periphery and the magnets embedded in the driven ear periphery in response to a driving force being applied to said driving axle for rotating said driving gear in the opposite direction of rotation; and said driven gear and said driven gear axle being tiltable at said pivot point both with respect to (a) said driving gear and said driving gear axle at an angle at said pivot point with respect to said driving gear, and the angle of said part of said driving gear periphery at said pivot point with respect to said driven gear periphery, using as references the imaginary driving gear plane and a perpendicular imaginary plane perpendicular to said imaginary driving gear plane and passing through said pivot point, wherein the angle between said imaginary driving gear plane and said imaginary driven gear plane is less than 90° or a lesser negative value than −90° for rotation in one direction and is greater than 90° but less than 270° for rotation in the reverse direction after the sequential magnetic interaction is re-established, relative to said imaginary perpendicular plane; and (b) any imaginary plane containing said longitudinal axis of said driven gear must be oblique with respect to any imaginary plane containing said longitudinal axis of said driving gear except when said driven gear and driving gear are coplanar. 